Traditionally, Submarine Multi-Mission Team Trainer (SMMTT)
systems at shore-based Fleet Attack Centers have supported only those
torpedo variants that have been approved for warfighting and deployed
in great numbers. This presented a problem to Submarine Command Course
(SCC) students who received their shore-based training on an SMMTT
but were then required to exercise more “advanced” torpedo
configurations during their at-sea trials. These later torpedo configurations
represent the next set of torpedo operational improvements targeted
for release to the fleet in the Torpedo Advanced Processor Build (APB)
cycle, and they are employed during SCC and other fleet exercises to
gather as much real-world, in-water data as possible while providing
the fleet with a useable exercise weapon. Significant savings have
been achieved over the years by combining these missions. Because of
these configuration differences, however, shore-based trainers have
not been able to prepare SCC classes completely for their at-sea exercises.

To address this issue, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport’s
(NUWCDIVNPT) field representative at the Submarine Learning Center
(SLC) facilitated several meetings to assess options with SLC and the
NUWCDIVNPT Undersea Weapons Systems and Combat Systems Departments.
A number of alternatives were considered to improve the situation,
and after much discussion and analysis, the group decided to integrate
torpedo hardware and the most recent versions of operational software
into the SMMTT. CAPT Arnold Lotring, SLC’s Commander, identified
this approach as the fastest and “highest-fidelity” way
to satisfy SCC type training, while also supporting torpedo APB software
initiatives. To accomplish this objective, the Hardware-In-The-Loop
(HWIL) Weapons Analysis Facility (WAF) at NUWCDIVNPT would need to
be “connected” to an SMMTT location. With a sound systems
concept and implementation approach
in hand, the two UWCDIVNPT
technical departments collaborated in
providing a local “WAF-to-SMMTT”
networking demonstration.

Within six weeks, the two departments successfully
completed a proof-of-concept demonstration in which the SMMTT and
WAF were interconnected to show that SCC training could be accomplished
by linking SMMTT to an updated torpedo running the latest software.
On June 10, 2004, CAPT Lotring witnessed a successful trial that
replicated a typical ASW scenario incorporating ownship systems, a
torpedo launch, and a high-fidelity simulated target – a KILO-class
conventionally-powered submarine. The WAF weapon was a MK 48 Mod 6
torpedo, and SMMTT modeled the ownship CCS MK 2 BLK1C Mod 3 Combat
Control System (CCS). Two torpedoes were “fired” from
the SMMTT. The first run successfully detonated on the target with
no intervention. Because the second run included target evasion maneuvers,
wire guidance commands were issued, causing the weapon to execute
numerous in-water course changes.

As a result of the successful demonstration,
NUWCDIVNPT agreed to assess connectivity issues and provide a second
proof-of-concept demonstration between the WAF at NUWCDIVNPT and
an SMMTT
system at SUBSCOL, to occur during
a Submarine Command Course in October 2004. With assistance from
Newport Division’s Ranges, Engineering, and Analysis Department
and the Computer and Information Services Department, the required
connectivity was successfully achieved between
NUWCDIVNPT and SUBSCOL on Oct. 6, 2004 and exercised in high-fidelity
weapons training on Oct. 25-26. During the demonstration, several
ASW and ASUW scenarios were modeled that included wire-guidance
and countermeasures situations.

In addition to the two NUWCDIVNPT
Departments, SLC, and SUBSCOL, the overall effort also involved
several weapon-system program sponsors, including PMS 404 and
SEA07L1. The basic concept evolved out of a number of past multi-department
collaborations at NUWCDIVNPT, which provided the building blocks
that were combined to effect a timely improvement for the fleet.
This allowed for training on the new torpedo software earlier
than ever before possible. The SLC and SUBSCOL believe that the use
of the WAF will be especially valuable to SCC and Pre-Deployment
Training at both Groton and Pearl Harbor. Networking the WAF
with the SMMTT at SUBSCOL demonstrated the potential of a unique capability
to train on the latest torpedo software during the same timeframe
in which the new software was being downloaded into the weapons.

Connecting WAF to the SUBSCOL trainers allows SCC classes to train
with both advanced weapon variants and unparalleled acoustic modeling
of the target and environment. This capability not only supports SCC
training with the same torpedo configurations on land and sea, but
it also provides an excellent test bed to preview Weapon System and
Combat Control improvements before expensive at-sea firings. The demonstrated
connectivity will greatly facilitate and expedite the delivery of solutions
to the fleet.

USS Buffalo’s (SSN-715) crew is upgrading
its Local Area Network (LAN) during a modernization period to be completed
in April.

The new estimated $1.5 million LAN system called,
SubLAN 1 will replace the submarine’s old system.

According to Senior
Chief Electronics Technician Tony Smith, who helps coordinate and plan
SUBPAC’s C5I modernization, the majority
of submarines have at least the Tactical Information Distribution System
(TIDS). This nearly $422,000 system is the standard for networking
onboard nuclear submarines.

USS Buffalo is one of the few non-TIDS
boats. Nevertheless, this will make the submarine not only catch up
with the rest of the fleet, but also make it the first Pacific Fleet
submarine to have SubLAN 1.

According to the SubLAN 1 Design Review,
SubLAN offers answers to problems found in TIDS such as insufficient
server rack space, cooling for future operating systems upgrades, and
slow network connectivity. The operating system is upgraded to Windows
2000. It also connects into the submarine’s
fire control systems making its interface user-friendly with Windows-based
applications.

CDR Murray Gero, commanding officer of Buffalo, said
the upgrade will improve capability from an operational standpoint.
The upgrade includes installing a high data-rate antenna and other
equipment, allowing better communication with operational commanders.

“With
the upgrade, I can now do what most of the other warfighters can do,
and that is talk and e-mail in real time either on scene or en route
to the scene,” said Gero.

Buffalo’s LAN administrator,
Fire Control Technician 1st Class Jason Smith, said SubLAN would improve
quality of the workspace environment and quality of life. With better
communications, user-friendlier applications, e-mailing, and web browsing
for the crew, everyone receives a little benefit.

“With the new network, accessibility will be easier
with the addition of more ports and 58 laptops distributed to the crew,” said
Smith.

“I no longer need to go to different workstations to fix
problems because everything is centralized,” he said.

According
to Smith, the upgrade of all SUBPAC subs is a multi-million dollar
reality in the making.

“We started in December of 2004 with Buffalo and expect to finish the last boat in 2008,” Smith concluded.